Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in West Los Angeles and Nashville

Unlocking Healing with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Discover the transformative potential of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and more. Explore how this innovative treatment can help you break free from rigid thinking and emotional distress, support you in regaining peace of mind and emotional balance, and guide you towards a more fulfilling life.

Repair at the Deepest Levels

…at Embodied Wellness and Recovery

Welcome to Embodied Wellness and Recovery, where we specialize in providing compassionate Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in the West Los Angeles and Nashville areas. At our clinic, we understand the unique challenges individuals face and offer a safe environment where you can explore and heal. Whether you're struggling with depression, PTSD, or seeking personal growth, our holistic approach integrates ketamine with therapeutic support to foster profound breakthroughs.

Trauma can leave deep, lingering scars that impact every aspect of your life. Are you feeling trapped by the relentless grip of trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that seems treatment-resistant?  You might still find yourself haunted by past events, immobilized in a cycle of fear and pain, and feeling stuck despite trying conventional therapies. 

PTSD often leaves individuals reliving their trauma through flashbacks and nightmares. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) can help process these memories, reducing their emotional intensity and impact. Hypervigilance and an exaggerated startle response are common in PTSD. Ketamine therapy can calm the nervous system, allowing you to feel safer and more at ease. Many PTSD sufferers struggle with emotional numbness, making it difficult to connect with others. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy can help reawaken your ability to feel and engage with the world around you. PTSD can make the future seem bleak and unmanageable. Ketamine therapy offers a renewed sense of hope and possibility, empowering you to move forward.

Anxiety

Do you find yourself stuck in obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors? Are you caught in a cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors? Do these symptoms dominate your daily life, making it hard to function or enjoy activities you once loved? OCD can create relentless cycles of unwanted thoughts and behaviors. Ketamine Assisted psychotherapy (KAP) combines the rapid-acting effects of ketamine with psychotherapy to help disrupt these cycles and bring relief. By targeting brain pathways differently from traditional treatments, Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) offers hope for those who haven't found success with other therapies.

Is Anxiety overwhelming your daily life? Constant worry, panic attacks, and an inability to relax can severely impact your quality of life. If anxiety is preventing you from enjoying everyday activities, KAP might offer the relief you are seeking. Ketamine assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) combines ketamine’s rapid-acting antidepressant effects with psychotherapy, offering a unique approach to treating anxiety disorders. This therapy can help break the cycle of anxiety, providing relief and enabling you to regain control over your life. 

At Embodied Wellness and Recovery, we offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) as a powerful, innovative approach to mental health treatment that provides new avenues for healing and transformation.  KAP integrates ketamine—a medication recognized for its swift antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects—with psychotherapeutic techniques. This combined approach fosters profound emotional and psychological healing.

Set and setting are crucial elements in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) as they significantly influence the therapeutic experience and outcomes for individuals undergoing treatment. Set refers to the psychological and emotional mindset of the person receiving ketamine treatment.

Set refers to the psychological and emotional mindset of the person receiving ketamine treatment. This includes their expectations, beliefs, intentions, and overall mental state at the time of the session. A positive set can enhance receptivity to the therapy, improve outcomes, and facilitate a deeper exploration of emotions and thoughts.

Setting, on the other hand, encompasses the physical environment where the therapy takes place. This includes factors such as the comfort, safety, and ambiance of the treatment room. A supportive setting promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and helps clients feel secure and at ease during the session.

We understand the challenges you face and how Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy can be a transformative solution. Each therapeutic modality we use is carefully selected to address specific obstacles you encounter, providing targeted support for your mental health journey. By integrating Ketamine treatment with psychotherapy, we aim to enhance your overall well-being and empower you to lead a more fulfilling life.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) leverages the unique properties of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, to enhance therapeutic outcomes for various mental health conditions. Ketamine works primarily by antagonizing the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor in the brain, which leads to an increase in glutamate levels and subsequent activation of AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptors. This cascade results in the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and stimulates synaptogenesis, or the formation of new synaptic connections, which is thought to counteract the synaptic deficits seen in depression and other psychiatric disorders​.

In a therapeutic context, ketamine's ability to induce a transient dissociative state can help patients access repressed memories and emotions, facilitating deeper psychological exploration and insight. This state, combined with the supportive presence of a therapist, can lead to rapid symptom relief and breakthroughs in treatment-resistant conditions such as major depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. The dissociative effects help patients distance themselves from entrenched thought patterns and emotional responses, providing a novel perspective and reducing the severity of their symptoms. The integration of these experiences in follow-up therapy sessions helps to consolidate the gains made during the ketamine experience, promoting lasting therapeutic benefits​.

During sessions, we delve into your history, teach coping strategies, and foster a supportive environment for your healing journey. Our commitment to your well-being extends beyond the therapy room, ensuring you receive comprehensive care tailored to your goals.

Many individuals come to us feeling overwhelmed by their mental health challenges. We recognize the importance of addressing these concerns with empathy and expertise. With the right support, navigating these difficulties can lead to transformative personal growth.

Common Questions/Concerns 

Will Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy work for me?

At Embodied Wellness and Recovery, our personalized approach ensures that treatments are tailored to your specific needs and goals, maximizing effectiveness and safety.

How do I know if Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is right for me?

We offer a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your concerns and determine if Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is the best fit for your mental health needs.

Why should I choose Embodied Wellness and Recovery for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?

What sets Embodied Wellness and Recovery apart is our integrative approach, which combines ketamine treatment with compassionate psychotherapy. Our team's expertise and commitment to personalized care ensure that you receive the highest-quality treatment in a supportive environment. We are dedicated to helping you achieve lasting emotional wellness and personal growth.

What can I expect during a Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy session?

In our sessions, we provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your emotions under the guidance of experienced therapists.

  • A Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) session typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and the administration of ketamine via a lozenge taken session to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Here’s what you can generally expect:

    1. Initial Consultation:

    • Assessment: A thorough assessment to determine if you are a suitable candidate for KAP. This includes medical and psychological evaluations.

    • Preparation: Discussion of the treatment plan, potential benefits, and risks. You’ll also receive guidance on what to expect during the sessions.

    2. Preparation Session:

    • Therapeutic Alliance: Building a therapeutic relationship with your therapist.

    • Setting Intentions: Setting goals and intentions for the KAP sessions.

    • Education: Learning about the effects of ketamine and the structure of the sessions.

    3. Ketamine Administration Session:

    • Environment: Sessions are conducted in a safe, controlled, and comfortable setting.

    • Administration: Ketamine can be administered via various routes (e.g., intramuscular, sublingual, or intravenous). The method will be chosen based on your specific needs and the therapist’s recommendation.

    • Guided Experience: The therapist will guide you through the experience, helping you navigate any emotions or thoughts that arise.

    • Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of your physical and emotional state during the session to ensure safety.

    4. Integration Sessions:

    • Processing: After the ketamine experience, you’ll engage in integration sessions to process insights and experiences.

    • Application: Discussing how to apply the insights gained to your daily life.

    • Support: Ongoing support to help you integrate the therapeutic experiences into your broader treatment plan.

    5. Follow-Up:

    • Evaluation: Regular follow-up sessions to assess progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

    • Continued Therapy: KAP is often used in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities to support long-term healing and growth.

    Benefits:

    • Enhanced emotional processing.

    • Relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.

    • New perspectives and insights that can be difficult to achieve through traditional therapy alone.

    Considerations:

    • Potential side effects, which are typically mild and short-lived, such as nausea or dizziness.

    • The importance of a supportive and experienced therapeutic team.

    • Not suitable for everyone; thorough screening is essential.

    For more information, it’s recommended to visit Journey Clinical’s official website or consult directly with their clinicians. Additionally, reading patient testimonials and clinical studies on KAP can provide further insights into what to expect.

What is the science behind Ketamine Treatment?

Research has shown that ketamine can rapidly alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, often within hours of administration. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who haven’t responded to traditional treatments. Ketamine’s ability to enhance neuroplasticity—the brain's capacity to form new connections—enables patients to break free from entrenched patterns of thought and behavior.

Studies have also demonstrated ketamine’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms of PTSD. By modulating glutamate receptors, ketamine helps reset the brain’s response to stress, offering significant relief from trauma-related symptoms.

OUR EXPERTISE

Experience the advantages of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy at Embodied Wellness and Recovery, where our personalized sessions merge therapeutic counseling with ketamine treatment tailored to your specific needs. Whether aiming to strengthen emotional resilience, alleviate PTSD symptoms, shift entrenched thought patterns, or manage chronic pain, our sessions are crafted to empower individuals. With over fifteen years of expertise in integrative mental health practices, we've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact our approach can have on our client’s sense of well-being.

Ready to take the first step towards healing with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can support you on your journey to mental well-being.

  • References

    1. Abdallah, C. G., Sanacora, G., Duman, R. S., & Krystal, J. H. (2018). The neurobiology of depression and antidepressant action. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 88, 57-72.

    1. American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

    2. Dore, J., Turnipseed, B., Dwyer, S., Turnipseed, A., Andries, J., Ascani, G., ... & Wolfson, P. (2019). Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient demographics, clinical outcomes, and patterns of utilization. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 51(2), 189-198.

    3. Feder, A., Parides, M. K., Murrough, J. W., Perez, A. M., Morgan, J. E., Saxena, S., ... & Charney, D. S. (2014). Efficacy of intravenous ketamine for treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(6), 681-688.

    4. Krystal, J. H., Abdallah, C. G., Sanacora, G., Charney, D. S., & Duman, R. S. (2017). Ketamine: A Paradigm Shift for Depression Research and Treatment. Neuron, 101(4), 774-778.

    5. Scheidegger, M., Walter, M., Lehmann, M., Metzger, C., Grimm, S., Boeker, H., Boesiger, P., & Henning, A. (2012). Ketamine decreases resting state functional network connectivity in healthy subjects: implications for antidepressant drug action. PLoS ONE, 7(9), e44799.

    6. Zarate, C. A., Singh, J. B., Carlson, P. J., Brutsche, N. E., Ameli, R., Luckenbaugh, D. A., ... & Manji, H. K. (2006). A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(8), 856-864.